Chou Mo, a visionary in fashion photography, is renowned for his captivating blend of muted tones and striking visual narratives. From a memorable photoshoot inspired by dreams to the harmonious collaboration with stylists and models, Chou Mo shares the creative processes that bring his distinctive images to life. He discusses the delicate balance between artistic vision and client demands, offering insights into staying true to one’s unique style while navigating the ever-evolving world of fashion and art.
hube: Your portfolio showcases a mesmerising blend of dulled colours, accent hues, and unconventional black-and-white aesthetics. What sparked your journey into this distinctive visual realm, and how does it reflect your artistic vision?
Chou Mo: Every period of shooting, the mode of thinking, sources of inspiration, tone, and colour coordination are instinctual presentations. These instincts and the resulting imagery reflect my preferences at the time, including performance art, film, contemporary dance, site-specific art design, photography collections, and even a novel. Therefore, it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific person or thing as the source of inspiration. Instead, it’s more about embracing what I love and enjoying the process of blending them.
hube: The art you capture is synonymous with uniqueness and originality. Could you walk us through a memorable photoshoot you’ve done, where your unique style took centre stage? How did you collaborate with the team to bring your creative vision to life?
CM: There was a shoot themed around a recurring dream that had troubled me for years and the fading memory of my father. The keywords for the theme were sticky, trapped, sharp, twisted, and blurred. After discussions with art director Liang Shuoliang and the costume stylist, we tried to materialise all the keywords into the scene, props, and costumes. Then, by describing the scenario to the dancer and providing the dance style, we aimed to capture the essence of these emotions in their poses.
hube: The models you work with seem to effortlessly inhabit the mood and narrative of your photographs. What qualities do you look for in a model, and how do you create synergy on set?
CM: Each shoot has different requirements. The qualities I look for in a model vary, including clothing style, the theme’s needs, and the required physical abilities. I try to create synergy on set by playing music that fits the environment, explaining the story, and using situational guidance. The shoot becomes an interactive process, allowing the model to freely interpret the guidance, turning the designed images into more spontaneous captures.